Every Breath is for God

God has taught me so many things over these last months on my journey!

1) Sometimes God has to break you for you to realize His plan for you. 

-These past two years, I have held on with white knuckles my studies. I wasn't relying on God for everything in my life. God pretty much had to knock me down off of my feet and show me that His plans are so much greater than my own. It is His will for me to go to nursing school, but in His own perfect timing. I am not sure why yet, but God wants me to wait on this and following His will is so much better. (for those of you who do not understand why I have to wait, see previous post)

2) When it's God's will, He provides!

-I wasn't sure how I could come up with the funds to get to Santa Cruz, but God totally blew my mind! Not only did I raise the $3,400 I needed to go, but I have raised well above that, which will help me with my food and travelling costs! I can say I am fully funded! There was no reason to worry! (Matthew 6:25-34)

3) Faith in God goes a long way!

-A lot of the time I don't understand why God has me wait for things. Friends say trust in God, but it's really easier said than done. It is so easy to have your knuckles tied tight around something God wants, but when you try to take your own reign on those things, God reminds you that it is Him who has the power not you and He can take those things away just as quickly as He gave them to you. I can tell that this has been one of my flaws and God has basically had to force me down on my knees and show me that He will show me the way that He wants me to go. I am continuing to learn that I need to slow down and let God have control.

4)For once in my life, I am so happy to not feel the need to worry about something!

-God has lifted the weight of the world off of my shoulders and I am learning to put my faith into God and pray anytime I am not sure of what is going to happen. Surrendering to God takes off many heavy burdens and is amazing!

Philippians 4:6

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Every day is a new experience, and when we learn to put our faith in God with every step and breath we take. Having faith in God and putting your full trust even when you don't understand is always a blessing. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

I am so thankful God delights in all of us and cares and loves for us so deeply that He is patient with us and wants to make our paths straight. 

The Battle to Go Continues

Some very important things have been happening over these past few days that have me on going on this mission trip to Santa Cruz this summer. I believe that God has called me to become a nurse in order to bring Him glory. I also believe that God wants me to bring Him glory in Santa Cruz, CA this summer.

God has been teaching me to be patient and submit fully to His will and His timing. I got accepted into nursing school for this coming fall, so I thought it would be smooth sailing from here. However, God had different plans for me. I have had a rough semester with Microbiology as well with my tests in Intro to Nursing. Needless to say that I didn't do well enough to pass either of the classes. 

Now comes the decision. Do I continue with what I want more than anything and not go to Santa Cruz, or do I postpone Nursing School for another year and fully submit to God's will. 

After many tears, prayers and struggles within my heart, I went into the SWOSU School of Nursing and signed the papers saying I would not be attending the school of nursing this fall. 

I believe that God allowed this to happen to show me that I am not in control of these things in my life. They are created by Him and for Him, not me. Jeremiah 29:11 says that He knows the plans for us. As much as it hurts to make this decision to wait, I know that He has control of these situations and He will bring glory to Himself no matter what. 

The devil is doing everything in his "power" to keep me from going to Santa Cruz this summer, and honestly, a year ago, he may have actually won this battle. But God has been teaching me and growing me this year, through prayer, His Word, Campus Crusade for Christ, and all of my new friends at SWOSU. I am so thankful that God has taught me so much about putting my full faith in Him. He has the ultimate control and He will stomp Satan out of these situations when I trust in him.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Colossians 1:9-12

 ⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you^[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.